Amazing!

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:03 am

Hi All,

I found out the most amazing thing! My MIL had asked me to email her college (Sweet Briar, class of '37) to see if any of her classmates were still living. Apparently her class has a history of rarely contributing to the alumnae magazine.

I found out that there are at least 24 members alive out of a class of 57. And these are just the members the school knows about - many have been lost to followup. And these are all 91 year-olds! Imagine!

I also noticed in the obits a few days ago two women who died, one at 107 and the other at 105. Today's paper had another obit from a 105 year old.

We are starting to see the prediction come true - that the fastest-growing age group is the over-100s. Apparently, if one can get past the 60s and 70s without developing chronic diseases, the outlook is for a healthy and active life after that. Many of these oldsters are in great shape until they finally succumb (sp?).

Love,

Polly

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:11 am

that the fastest-growing age group is the over-100s

Fastest growing age group by percentage? If there used to be one and now there are two is that a 100% increase? Just fooling around--not really good at math! I am happy that so many of your MIL's classmates are surviving and hope for the best for all of us!

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:36 pm

Polly, people are living longer but maybe there was something in the water that your MIL's class drank. It is great to live to a ripe old age as long as you are healthy & have all your faculties.

I had a friend who died at 107 a year or so ago & she was as sharp as a tack. Used to love the TV people coming to see her each year & they were flat out getting the microphone off her

She drove her little car & lived independently until she had a fall at 96 & lost her sight in the last few years but still could tell a great yarn. Maybe it was the ginger chocolates that she loved

Another friend is 93 & doesn't look a day over 70. She is still playing top division bowls, has just won another club championship. Her husband is 97 & although deaf still enjoys his life including bowls a couple of days per week.

A neighbour of ours is 91, has just driven up to Cairns & back, a trip of several thousand kilometres, & got booked for speeding, I might add. He walks a couple of miles each day as well. He is very skinny, a bit like a pull through for a rifle but very healthy.

Love

Liz